I’m not that disappointed to be honest, I’m more frustrated than disappointed.
I think we are a much better team than 4/5 weeks ago when everyone knew we were soft as.
We at least appear relatively difficult to break down now. That is significant progress.
I’ve moved from thinking we need to change most of the team to seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
I agree with the consensus on Lolohea, Myler, Sutcliffe and Ferres. I’ve often defended Myler however tonight was indefensible. You can’t kick like that that often in a game. 1 bad kick yes. Not that many. And it totally relieved the pressure we’d worked hard to apply to Wigan.
Sutcliffe offered nothing. I don’t think we were any better really with Smith on but we certainly weren’t any worse.
Lolohea offered nothing attacking wise from full back and was weak again defensively. Out of position several times and as I’ve said previously he wimped out of taking a hit in the first half.
Ferres, his stats probably look ok but Christ he has the turning circle of the Titanic. For a second rower he shouldn’t have been so easily bypassed for Wigan’s try in the 2nd half and it was frankly embarrassing to see him rounded by a prop that I reckon I could catch.
I’m also going to criticise Dwyer a bit here. Im going to preface the criticism by saying his enthusiasm and effort is obviously great, however...it’s not always directed well enough. A couple of times he went flying out of the line trying to solve an issue that wasn’t his to solve and left a massive gap, that in the 2nd half Wigan ran through to score.
Also his schizophrenic acting half play causes us issues in attack.
For me, if we can change 3/4 players I think we’ll be a much better team and look much more potent in attack. The forwards have pulled their socks up and are doing their bit. It’s the spine that let us down today in my opinion.
So for the next game I’d go with:
1. Walker - Golding if Walker not fit
2. Briscoe
3. Newman
4. Hurrell
5. Handley
6. McLelland
7. Myler - we have no better option
8. Singleton - much better today imo!
9. Parcell
10. Cuthbertson
11. Watkins
12. Donaldson - Ward when back fit
13. Merrin
14. Dwyer
15. Ava
16. Oledzki
17. Ferres - Donaldson when Ward fit
I don’t see how McLelland could be any worse than Sutcliffe or Lolohea and it would at least be experience for him.
I’d keep Dwyer in the team but use him almost like a Burrow type impact hooker for 15/20 mins per game
